Quote of the Month Posts

"In the world of philanthropy, people are either going to trust us and see us as a transparent, honest broker or they're not. And if we demonstrate transparency and honesty along the way, we tend to get that back. And if we don't, we tend not to get that back."
--Rachel Monroe, President, Harry and...

"Our trustees believe that you take on big challenges - and that you are in for the long haul."
- Ira Hirschfield,President, Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund
Source: "Haas family on forefront of aid to gay marriage,"San Francisco Chronicle, Friday, October 25th

"There is tremendous creativity that comes from agreeing to disagree at the board table."
-- Richard Woo, CEO, Russell Family Foundation. Source: NCFP October 2013 Webinar on "Creating a Culture of Learning for Your Board and Family"

"If we can leave four children in this world with a strong base of philanthropy, then hopefully, we quadruple the difference we've been able to make."
-- Chip Patterson, Board Member and Donor, The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. Source: NCFP August 2013 Webinar on "Families and Community...

"My grandfather was a true visionary in every sense of the word. He was a bold, entrepreneurial risk-taker who was not afraid to stand up for what he believed in and always willing to take the long view in tackling the problems before him. Our foundation will continue to reflect these characteristics...

"I have learned a lot about how to be a leader; this means learning how to set goals and deadlines and meet them, what to do when you don't, how to work patiently with other people, how to ask for what you want without being demanding, what it means to run a meeting (create bylaws, appoint a secretary...

"I have never felt obligated to serve on the next gen board. I know that being on the board is a personal choice I am welcome to change at any moment. I think everyone on the board needs to make sure they chose to be on the board because they want to be, not out of obligation. Obligation changes your...

"I would remind all trustees that the public interest is always in the room with them at board and governance meetings. Unseen but watching are the representatives of that public interest: the IRS, Attorney General, Congress, press and potential beneficiaries. Expectantly they look to us to do the...

"Most people are making grants that are a year, two years, three years, five years, and we've committed for the long term, to be here until we go out of business. It's an unusual approach but we recognize that community change takes a long time. And you need to be able to take the risk of doing that...

"Never stop affirming. When you find your battery of hope, excitement, and even idealistic naivete so drained that you don't let an applicant finish a presentation without pointing out why it can't be done, it's time you departed for another profession. Philanthropy builds on the hopes of rising...